Blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 4609’

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘RIDLEY 4609’ is provided. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘C95-152’ (unpatented) and pollen parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

Latin name of genus, and species:

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—hybrid.

Variety denomination: The new blueberry plant claimed is of the varietydenominated ‘RIDLEY 4609’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofVaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given thevariety denomination of ‘Ridley 4609’. Its market class is that of afruiting plant. ‘Ridley 4609’ is intended for use as fresh fruit forshipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home gardenplant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in August 2006 from the controlled pollination of seedparent ‘C95-152’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 22,778). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as asingle plant, breeder code M08-46-09, within a population of 100resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination inOctober 2008 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale,New South Wales, Australia. It was monitored over the next three yearswith five inspections per year to confirm consistency of traits.Selection criteria were, in combination, unique aromatic desirabletasting fruit produced in late season, firm, oblate shaped fruit, mediumplant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, late time of vegetativebud burst and flowering, medium fruit size, medium yield, and smallpicking scar.

The selection was evaluated for a number of years at commercial farms atLindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since2008 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that thenew cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, asherein described, firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting fromseedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale,NSW, Australia in August 2006 from the controlled pollination of seedparent ‘C95-152’ (unpatented) with pollen parent ‘C00-09’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 22,778).

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent‘C95-152’ primarily in having an upright to semi-upright plant growthhabit, medium fruit yield and oblate shaped fruit with a desirableflavor whereas the seed parent has upright plant growth habit, roundshaped fruit with a distinct, highly aromatic unpleasant flavor and lowyield. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollenparent ‘C00-09’ primarily in medium plant growth vigor, early to mediumtime of vegetative bud burst, early to medium time of first flowering,early to medium time of first fruit ripening, medium fruit size andround to slightly oblate fruit shape whereas the pollen parent hasstrong plant growth vigor, semi-upright to spreading plant growth habitand very large fruit size.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedlyobserved and can be used to distinguish ‘RIDLEY 4609’ as a new anddistinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   -   1. Late time of vegetative bud burst    -   2. Late timing of beginning of flowering    -   3. Late timing of berry ripening    -   4. Medium plant growth vigor    -   5. Berry is firm    -   6. Picking scar is dry    -   7. Leaf width is broad    -   8. Berry size is medium    -   9. Berry sweetness and acidity making a unique aromatic        desirable tasting fruit    -   10. Bloom on berry is weak to medium    -   11. Dark blue berry color

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent‘C95-152’ primarily in having an upright to semi-upright plant growthhabit, medium fruit yield and oblate shaped fruit with a desirableflavor whereas the seed parent has upright plant growth habit, roundshaped fruit with a distinct, highly aromatic unpleasant flavor and lowyield. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollenparent ‘C00-09’ primarily in medium plant growth vigor, early to mediumtime of vegetative bud burst, early to medium time of first flowering,early to medium time of first fruit ripening, medium fruit size andround to slightly oblate fruit shape whereas the pollen parent hasstrong plant growth vigor, semi-upright to spreading plant growth habitand very large fruit size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of a 4 year old plant of the newvariety ‘Ridley 4609’. The colors are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 4609’, demonstratingthe plant's growth habit and fruit set.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the flowering plant of the new variety ‘Ridley4609’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the leaves of the new variety ‘Ridley 4609’.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the flower, leaf and fruit of the new variety‘Ridley 4609’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of the inflorescence and flower of the newvariety ‘Ridley 4609’.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of the fruit detail of the new variety ‘Ridley4609’.

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited inthe detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of thenew blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Ridley 4609’. The data that define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions of theoriginal selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristicsare approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately 4 years of age, and thedescriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Tabulam, New SouthWales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made onfruit grown in Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color designationsare from Tabulam, New South Wales, Australia. Color notations are basedon The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—hybrid.        -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.-   Parentage:    -   -   a. Female parent.—‘C95-152’ (unpatented).        -   b. Male parent.—‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778).        -   c. Market class.—A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh            fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and            as a home garden plant.

PLANT

-   General:    -   -   a. Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘C95-152’ (unpatented). Male            Parent — ‘C00-09’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,778).        -   b. Plant height.—1.5 m.        -   c. Plant width.—1.2 m.        -   d. Growth habit.—Upright to semi-upright.        -   e. Growth.—Medium vigor.        -   f. Productivity.—4 kg per season from 3-4 year old plants            planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.        -   g. Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments            including harsh winter environments.        -   h. Cold tolerance.—Cold tolerance is expected to be low.        -   i. Chilling requirement.—Has not been grown in all            environments and is typically grown as an evergreen crop            where chilling hours are not important. ‘Ridley 4609’ is            classed as ‘low chill’, typical of Southern Highbush            Blueberry varieties with an estimated chilling requirement            of 400 hours (not tested).        -   j. Tolerance to disease.—Moderate resistance to root disease            (Phytophthora spp) and good resistance to blueberry rust.        -   k. Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is late when grown as an            evergreen in Australia.        -   l. Twigginess.—Low.

STEM

-   General:    -   -   a. Suckering tendency.—Low. Plants typically have 5-7 major            canes per plant from a base 25 cm in diameter on 4 year old            plants.        -   b. Mature cane color.—Color greyed orange 198C.        -   c. Mature cane length.—0.8-0.9 m.        -   d. Mature cane width.—1.2 cm.        -   e. Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).        -   f. Fall color on new shoots.—Crimson (approximately greyed            purple N186C to 187A). Colors are variable subject to            conditions of environment and culture.        -   g. Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.        -   h. Internode length on strong, new shoots.—15-20 mm.        -   i. Fruiting wood.—To 15 cm in length.

FOLIAGE

-   General:    -   -   a. Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—Late (late September            to early October), in Australia.        -   b. Leaf color (top side).—Yellow green 147A.        -   c. Leaf color (under side).—Yellow green 147C.        -   d. Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   e. Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   f. Leaf margins.—Entire.        -   g. Undulation of margin.—Weak.        -   h. Leaf venation.—Reticulate.        -   i. Leaf apices.—Acuminate.        -   j. Leaf bases.—Obtuse.        -   k. Leaf length.—52-75 mm.        -   l. Leaf width.—31-38 mm.        -   m. Leaf length/width ratio.—Medium (approximately 1).        -   n. Leaf nectaries.—Absent.        -   o. Pubescence of upper side.—Absent to very weak.        -   p. Pubescence of lower side.—Absent.        -   q. Cross sectional profile.—Flat.        -   r. Longitudinal profile.—Straight.        -   s. Attitude.—Horizontal.-   Petioles:    -   -   a. Length.—1.0 to 3.0 mm.        -   b. Width.—2.0 mm.        -   c. Color.—Yellow green 146C-147C.

FLOWERS

-   General:    -   -   a. Time of beginning of flowering.—Late (late September to            early November at Lindendale, NSW Australia).        -   b. Time of 50% anthesis.—Late October at Lindendale, NSW            Australia.        -   c. Flower shape.—Urceolate.        -   d. Flower bud density.—Medium density.        -   e. Flower fragrance.—Weak.-   Corolla:    -   -   a. Color.—White NN155D.        -   b. Length.—10-12 mm.        -   c. Width.—7-8 mm.        -   d. Aperture width.—2-3 mm.        -   e. Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—Absent.        -   f. Corolla ridges.—Present.        -   g. Protrusion of stigma.—Absent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   a. Length.—25 to 35 mm.        -   b. Diameter.—18 to 20 mm.        -   c. Length of peduncle.—20-25 mm.        -   d. Surface texture of peduncle.—Smooth.        -   e. Color of peduncle.—146C.        -   f. Length of pedicel.—7-9 mm.        -   g. Surface texture of pedicel.—Smooth.        -   h. Color of pedicel.—147C.        -   i. Number of flowers per cluster.—5-7.        -   j. Flower cluster density.—Medium.-   Calyx (with sepals):    -   -   a. Diameter.—9-12 mm.        -   b. Color (sepals).—Green 138C to yellow green 147C.-   Stamen:    -   -   a. Length.—4-5 mm.        -   b. Number per flower.—Approximately 10.        -   c. Filament color.—Yellow green 144D.-   Pistil:    -   -   a. Length.—10.20 mm.        -   b. Style.—Length — 5-6 mm.        -   c. Ovary color (exterior).—Yellow green 144D-147C.-   Anther:    -   -   a. Length.—3.0-3.5 mm.        -   b. Number.—Approximately 10.        -   c. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.-   Pollen:    -   -   a. Abundance.—Medium.        -   b. Color.—Grayed orange 167C-D.        -   c. Self-compatibility.—100% fruit set (Considered            self-compatible).

FRUIT

-   General:    -   -   a. Time of fruit ripening.—Late (late October to mid            December) at Lindendale, NSW Australia).        -   b. Time of 50% maturity.—Mid-November.        -   c. Fruit development period.—55 days.        -   d. Cluster density.—Medium to dense, 5-8 berries per            cluster.        -   e. Unripe fruit color.—Green 138A.        -   f. Ripe berry color.—Black 202A.        -   g. Berry surface wax abundance.—Strong.        -   h. Berry flesh color.—Grayed green 194A-195A.        -   i. Berry weight.—2.9-3.1 g.        -   j. Berry height from calyx to scar.—13-16 mm.        -   k. Berry diameter.—19 mm.        -   l. Berry shape.—Oblate.        -   m. Fruit stem scar.—Small (dry).        -   n. Sweetness when ripe.—Medium to high (approximately 15-16%            Brix).        -   o. Firmness when ripe.—Firm.        -   p. Acidity when ripe.—Medium to high (similar to ‘Ridley            1403’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,432) and ‘Ridley 1812’ (not            patented) and higher than ‘Ridley 1111’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            23,572)).        -   q. Storage quality.—Good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees            Celcius in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere            storage yet.        -   r. Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—Shake requirement            not yet tested.        -   s. Self-fruitfulness.—100% fruit set (considered            self-compatible).        -   t. Uses.—Fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and            processing markets and as a home garden plant.

SEED

-   General:    -   -   a. Seed abundance in fruit.—Abundant.        -   b. Seed color.—Greyed orange 174B.        -   c. Seed dry weight.—About 67 seeds/1 mg.        -   d. Seed length.—1.6-1.8 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN POLLEN PARENT AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

TABLE 1 Comparison between pollen parent and commercial cultivars Ridley4408 (U.S. Application No. 14/ Organ Context 999,950) Ridley 4609 Plantvigour medium medium Plant growth habit Upright to Upright to semiupright semi upright One-year- colour green green old shoot One-year-length of medium medium old shoot internode Leaf length long medium tolong Leaf width broad broad Leaf shape elliptic elliptic Leaf colour ofgreen green upper side Leaf intensity of medium medium green colour onupper side Leaf margin entire entire Flower bud anthocyanin weak weakcoloration Flower shape of urceolate urceolate corolla Flower size ofmedium medium corolla tube Flower anthocyanin absent or absent or verycolouration very weak weak of corolla tube Flower ridges on presentpresent corolla tube Fruit cluster density medium to medium dense Unripefruit intensity of light light green colour Fruit size medium mediumFruit shape in round oblate longitudinal section Fruit attitude of erecterect sepals Fruit diameter of large large calyx basin Fruit depth ofdeep deep calyx basin Fruit intensity of strong weak to bloom mediumFruit colour of dark blue dark blue skin Fruit firmness firm firm Fruitsweetness high medium to high Fruit acidity high medium to high Time ofvegetative early to late bud burst medium Time of beginning of early tolate flowering medium Time of beginning of early to late fruit mediumripening Ridley C00-09 Ridley 1403 (U.S. 1812 (U.S. Plant Plant Pat.(not Pat. No. No. Organ Context patented) 25,432) 22,778) Plant vigourmedium strong strong Plant growth habit upright upright to upright tosemi- semi- upright upright One-year- colour green green green old shootOne-year- length of medium medium medium old shoot internode Leaf lengthlong to very long to long long very long Leaf width broad broad broadLeaf shape elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf colour of green green greenupper side Leaf intensity of medium medium dark green colour on upperside Leaf margin entire entire entire Flower bud anthocyanin weak weakweak coloration Flower shape of urceolate urceolate urceolate corollaFlower size of medium medium to medium to corolla tube large largeFlower anthocyanin absent or absent or absent or colouration very weakvery weak very weak of corolla tube Flower ridges on present presentpresent corolla tube Fruit cluster density medium medium to medium denseUnripe fruit intensity of light light light green colour Fruit size verylarge very large very large Fruit shape in oblate round oblatelongitudinal section Fruit attitude of erect erect erect sepals Fruitdiameter of large to very large large calyx basin large Fruit depth ofdeep to very deep deep calyx basin deep Fruit intensity of weak tomedium medium to bloom medium strong Fruit colour of dark blue dark bluedark blue skin Fruit firmness medium medium very firm Fruit sweetnessmedium to low to high high medium Fruit acidity medium to medium to lowhigh high Time of vegetative medium early to late bud burst medium Timeof beginning of late very early late flowering Time of beginning of lateearly to late fruit medium ripening

The invention claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blueberryplant named ‘RIDLEY 4609’, substantially as illustrated and describedherein.